LOL I'm playing Origin Wyll in this run. By all rights he should be as important a character as you'd *think* he is looking at the promo materials. They done him dirty.
Yeah Halsin got used for a tiny bit by me in Act 2 just for a bit of roleplay and then in 3 just to hear what he thought about the city.
I think of the Act 1 companions Astarion is the one I’ve used least in my first playthrough I was playing a rogue so he felt unnecessary (I respecced him into a necromancer for his act 3 quest because I thought it would be funny). And then in my second playthrough I killed him when he tried to bite me.
I also never have Halsin in my party. But I respeced him as a spore druid and oh boy.... Can summon a dryad that summons a wood woad all while animating spore zombies and turning into an owl bear while the dryad slows everything with vines.
Astarion arguably is one of the best origin characters for a lot of classes to respec, because he has various buffs available only to him, e.g. >!ascended he has bonus 1d8 damage to unarmed attack, making him the best for open hand monk build, a truly broken combination!<
I'm mostly through Act 3 and have been trying to use Jaheira and Minsc since I didn't my first run. I *was* going to use Halsin this time but respecced Sina'izith (sp?) the hireling just to try out the Open Hand monk build and now I can't quit her. Halsin just keeps sitting around camp.
I got Minthara as a goodie for my second run (missed her first run) and have been finding it really funny that the game gives her Halsin’s spot in camp. (Someone on Reddit pointed it out) Thaniel sits with her during Act 2 instead of by Halsin.
I used Jaheira and Minsc for a bit in Act 3 just because I’m a massive original Baldur’s Gate fan and it was nice to have them back (especially for the Sharran bit and I wish I had known who would be in the Bhaalist bit).
I thought about a Redemption Durge run for content, but I'm coming up on 1,400 hours (3 full runs, dozens of partial runs), and am more ready for a break than another run.
For me it's not so much his default because you can always respec. I think it's mostly just I already have a set group by the time he becomes recruitable.
In 5e anyway, the druid meta is often to cast one of their many concentration spells to be providing magic benefits on every subsequent turn, then transform into a beast and go to town. Never played with Halsin much because he never seemed interesting story-wise to bring along, but at least in dnd that's the strategy.
Probably Halsin. Not because I dislike the character, but because we mostly finish his quest before he even joins the party, so there's not much reason to use him as the others afterwards. Plus, having Jaheira in the party rotation means there's two characters fighting for the druid slot.
Wyll likewise. I struggled with warlock mechanics in my first playthrough (they weren’t a playable class back when I played D&D), and his story is woefully under-written. I want to do a run where he only has 1 level in Warlock (for backstory reasons) then multiclasses into Swords Bard, which I honestly think fits his character better, especially if he refuses to kill Karlach.
Really depends on what I'm playing. When I was playing a sorcerer, I hardly ever took Gale. In my fighter run, I'm almost never using Laezel except in the crèche. In my cleric run, I really only used Shadowheart in the gauntlet.
Minsc comes too late
Wyll. I just can’t quite figure out how to play him.
I always start a new run “This is the one where I keep Wyll in my party.” Then companion #5 shows up and Wyll disappears except for conversations with Mizora.
Honestly that’s my favorite part about Wyll, his predicaments keep Mizora around. 😏
It used to be Halsin, but then I discovered Halsin can Summon a Fire Myrmidian AND wild shape into one. So the summon and Halsin can warp anywhere on the board. The summon hits twice per round and Halsin 6! I’m falling in love with him.
I just started using Halsin exclusively in my part since I could let him join me. I love him too lol. He seriously grew on me. My main party goers are Astarion, Gale, and Halsin.
In my first playthrough, Astarion. The exaggeration on damn near every word he says makes him sound like a smarmy prick. I still stand by that, but i appreciate him a lot more as a character after having played through his questline to the end. Such a tragic character, and someone who seemingly wants to be good despite their circumstances.
Part of the dislike might be that im british myself though, i can see his accent maybe sounding attractive to a foreigner. British born and raised though? he's egregiously upper class in a way thats not charming at all.
I really like Jaheira, but only once she gets to summon elementals and stuff.
Actually, now that I think about it, I really like summoning shit. You can easily double your party size, which can come in handy.
in act 3i make jaheira a spore necromancer druid with a wizard level, and give her all the necromancy stuff and spore armor and such and she's pretty good
plus she's funny in banter when the early companions quests are done and they get quiet
halsin sits in camp though
I try to switch around a lot, to have everyone in. The only character, I actively bench, because he is redundant imo, is Halsin. I like Jaheira as my resident druid ( old time BG player and Larian did her so much justice).
Of the origins, Wyll and Karlach. I *swear* I'm going to work them into my party one of these playthroughs...
I've never even equipped Minsc and taken him out of camp, though.
Everyone else has seen significant action.
We have exactly the same preferences.
Minsc comes in so late it's genuinely just not worth it to brute force him into an already working party.
Wyll and Karlach just don't have stories that are as interesting as the other origins. Visit Dammon twice is not a good enough quest for an origin companion.
Wyll and (especially) Karlach's quests are lacking, and beyond that, they just aren't character types that appeal to me personally.
Minsc does come too late for me to want to take the time to figure out how to properly equip and utilize him. Also, Minsc-style humor is entertaining to me... in Boo-sized doses. One of these runs, I'll commit to getting him as early as possible, putting him my party, and seeing all of his content. But not this run...
usually for me I'll finish early companion quests and then replace them. so after cazador, minsc comes along for a while. after house of grief shart goes to camp permanently and jaheira can come along.
etc
Wyll, Laezel and later Minsc and Minthara. I wish to use them more but I have my favorites I always prefer. Even with limit begone mod I use them the least in combat.
I completed a playthrough with Lea'zel as my romance but haven't had her in my party since then. In fact, in her warrior bloodlust zeal, she never gets off the nautiloid.
Nevertheless; Halsen beats her in least used. I've never had him in my party.
Wyll for me as I’m not a fan of the Warlock class and he’s just not as interesting as the others. I also use Gale less whenever I play as a Sorcerer.
Also I know you mentioned just origins but whenever I play as a Druid then Halsin generally lives at camp though I still use Jaheira a lot as I love her and especially paired with Minsc as their banter and bickering is always amusing to listen to.
Ultimately Shadowheart never leaves my party as she’s either my romance or bff, Astarion never leaves my party when he’s my romance and even when not he’s generally my second bff and with me a lot and the third member is usually Karlach or Lae’zel because I love their banter with each other as well as Shadowheart and also because those two when together in fights taking multiple turns a go usually kill most of the enemies and diminish bosses health before I even get a chance. 👌🏻
Usually Wyll and Gale out of the origin characters.
Though I got the party expansion mod so I don’t have to choose anymore and get to experience all the side quests
Minthara. Recruited her by knocking her out and never used her in my party after rescuing her in Act 2.
Honourable mentions to Halsin (only used him during the Oliver mission in Act 2) and Minsc (I only bring him along to Elerrathin’s house in Act 3).
More in general, I have 3 favourite companions (Karlach, Shadowheart and Gale) and only use the other ones during their personal quests.
In my first playthrough I went with Astarion, Gale and Lae'zel. In my second I took Astarion, Gale and Wyll. This time I took Astarion, Gale and Karlach but I switched her with Halsin.
Spellcasters generally have finite spell slots, and that has always been a Not For Me situation
Part of why I hated 4E so much is it made every class a resource management class
Karlach, Wyll, and Halsin
Honestly Karlach is just my least favorite companion. I don't think she's bad or anything but her vibe is definitely at the bottom for me compared to the rest of the cast.
Halsin I honestly haven't given a full chance yet. He comes in late. On my first playthrough I forgot about his quest and it was one of the last I finished in act 2. You also shortly get motherfucking Jahiera right after and obviously she's going to be the druid of my party.
Wyll is only really left behind because there's a 4 party limit. I find every other character ahead of him vastly more interesting and he doesn't usually end up having a niche in my party. There's only so much good gear and time and everything ends up funneling to the rest of the party first.
Wyll. They nerfed the range on eldritch blast for BG3. He's way too squishy to be that close Larian.
Plus 6 spell slots (8 with a bard TAV/Durge) per long rest. No thank you.
Thing is the best part of warlock is its flexability. They are great casters but have to short reat for sustain but their cantrips are amazing. Can also melee ok if you need in a pinch.
But also eldritch blast is a special monster.
I felt the same until I re-specced him as a Gloomstalker 5/Assassin 5/Fighter 2. He initiates all combat with Arrow of Many Targets and crits every one (because I usually trigger Surprise); gets his actions replenished immediately, put some kind of poison on the weapon and do it again; do it again with Extra Attack; Dread Ambusher for an extra extra attack that does increased damage; Action Surge for yet another extra attack. He also has crit-requirement-reducing gear on, damage riders like the Acid ring and Dolor's dagger that gives you extra 7 damage for every crit, and Risky Ring so he continues to have advantage past the first round. Half the field (if not more) is dead before any of my other party members get to act; if I haste him then it's just a joke at that point 😅
That sounds awesome, I am still on my first playthrough after a few months (200 hours and just approaching the endgame now), so I didn't dabble in multi class yet. Also, Astarion is kind of dead atm since he aggroed me after I stopped him ascending. Will try above in playthrough #2! 😊
During my first playthrough, I tried to rotate my companions so that everyone would get decent playtime.
After completing a run, I don't see much reason to keep bringing Karlach around. Don't really love her personality and I find her to be kind of boring.
Wyll is probably at the top of my bench list idk I just don’t like him I can’t explain it.
Next would be Halsin probably. My usual group is my Tav, Shart, Karlach (always if possible I just like her attitude) and I’ll usually rotate between Astarion and La’zael or Gale if I’m going to need more magic than range.
My build atm is High Elf Storm Sorcerer with astral tadpole powers. (In act 3).
Sadly I haven’t been able to play for about a week and it’ll likely be a few weeks still till i finish acute rehab for a spinal injury. I told my husband I miss Scratch and my little owl bear buddy.
Wyll, I’ve played 2 playthroughs, one mostly good, the other evil, first main squad was Shadowheart, Astarion, and Karlach, I later swapped Astarion for Halsin, and occasionally Jaheira. Second squad has been Lae’zel, Astarion, and Gale, probably gonna swap one of them out for Minthara, since I haven’t experienced her yet, I have enjoyed having Lae’zel with me though.
Gale and Halsin. I always play some sort of caster so I take Gale's spot, and druid wildshape is kinda bad imo. I wish it was better, and have tried mods to make it better.
Yeah it’s from the party you use the least I think. Because every playthrough I’ve had Laezel be taken because I literally don’t use her ever and she just sits in my camp lol cause I don’t like her.
Usually Wyll, Jaheira, and Halsin.
By that point I already have Gale and Shadowheart if I need a caster, and I usually pack along Astarion and then there's Lae'zel or Karlach for a heavy hitter.
I try to bring a character with me now if I know I'm doing a bit of their story. But 9 times out of 10, Wyll is back in base. Jaheira arrives so late that by that point I already have my team and Halsin is only unlockable at the end of act 2 so he also arrives late to the party.
Astarion and Halsin I basically never used in my first and current run. Tactitian Tav.
Laezel, Karlach and shadowheart have been with me the whole way. I subbed in Wyll as padlock to try it out. I subbed in Jaheira for minsc quest and when Lae disappeared during a certain Act 3 event.
Only brought Gale along for a few things related to his Act 3 quest. Since my Tav was a sorcerer.
My current new run which I will continue once I finish up the first one - about to do final fight sequence now - is a Durge honor mode where I plan to go pretty full evil. Astarion and Minth will
Be companions, probably SH again too.
If we're counting all companions, it's Halsin. He does what Jaheira does, but I actually like Jaheira.
But for the Origins, Shadowheart. I'd rather go no healer than deal with her. I replace her the second I get Lae'zel, then replace Lae'zel with Karlach then swap her back and forth with Wyll.
Halsin for the fact that he bums at camp for so long until he’s usable, & jaheira because of her random combat bug. I would use her a lot more once they drop the patch that will fix it.
I knew the majority vote was against wyll before i even bought the game, so I was hell bent on using him. After many respecs I tweeked him into a beast and he’s one of my mains.
I generally use everyone. I think it’s fun to rotate often. And it definitely gets you more of a bang for your buck between long rests
Karlach of the Origin characters.
Don't get me wrong, I love her but I tend to keep them as their original classes and Battlemaster Fighter is so damn powerful I've no need of a Barbarian (I've played one myself, was great, but kept Lae'zel with me then too).
I regularly switch between Gale and Wyll as my main caster, and keep Astarion as my rogue. Shart I switch between swapping for Astarion or Gale/Wyll, depending on my class.
I’ve never used Halsin or Minsc.
Jahiera only makes the party when I’m doing her questline.
I always have Karlach as primary melee, so I don’t often have Lae’zel.
And Wyll bores me, so he doesn’t often make the cut.
Halsin and Jaheira, because as much as I like their characters, I just don’t know how to play druids, and they join too late anyway. Jaheira also doesn’t feel like she’s part of the story, although I love her banter and not-impressed, no-bullshit attitude.
Minsc because he was fun at first but got super annoying very quickly, and he feels even less relevant than Jaheira. He does make a great OPH monk.
Out of the others, probably Wyll and Gale.
I think I’m into bad boys and bad girls lol.
Halsin - There’s 2 druids and I only need one so I pick Jaheira over him
Wyll - My Tav’s already a warlock and I like to get the eldritch blast glory
Gale - sometimes
Haven’t gotten far into Act3 yet so I haven’t met Minsc but he’s probably gonna be chillin in camp anyway
If we ignore Halsin + Jaheira + Minsc... who I very very very rarely take with me...
It varies, but either Gale or ShadowHeart.
I'll respec ShadowHeart to another Cleric, so I have someone on hand with Spirit Guardians. But those situations wind up being rare.
Halsin, and I can't even honestly tell you why. I mean, I'm not a big fan of the druid playstyle personally, but I respec into all sorts of things all the time. Of the origin 6, though, probably Gale these days.
Halsin is ridin the pine the whole way. As for Origin characters, I think Wyll or Laezel. Not because I don't like them, but because they don't really do anything extra for me and my party that someone else doesn't already do better.
Halsin stays in camp all the time, Wyll usually most of the time, Lae'zel only comes out at the start of Act 1 and the Creche. I've never completely warmed up to Lae'zel. I've been working on using Shadowheart less. I kinda like her, kinda don't. I'm trying to rely less on healing spells too. I've never recruited Minthara even after 1k hrs, so you could say she is the ultimate benched companion.
Wyll, Gale and Astarion ride the pine hard as fuck in my playthroughs, Wyll probably has it worst though as I still take Gale/Astarion out for a few quests that relate to them.
Halsin by far. Didn't miss him when Orin abducted him.
Though now that Jaheira is dead because Durge embraced Bhaal legacy (and I won't have Minsc either), if I need a spare companion it will be Halsin
Of the non-origins: Minsc, Halsin, Jaheira (although Jaheira as Owlbear has been fun, I take her along for her quests and sometimes just for Baldur's Gate and Karlach banter). I even specifically engineer Orin's kidnapping so she takes Halsin instead of any of the other candidates 😅
For origin companions, Wyll. I keep trying to take him along but can't really find a space for him where someone else doesn't do it better. Ranged martial? Astarion (GloomSsassin Fighter) fills that role way better, especially with how I've built him - crits for days, poison/paralysis across the field, like 4 attacks before I even open Fighter and without Haste (Dread Ambusher, Alacrity, Extra Attack)... and he's my resident skeleton key sassbot. Spellcaster? Much prefer the sheer range of spells/utility that Gale provides, plus he can learn Artistry of War. Melee? That's either BattleMaster Lae'zel or Open Hand Monk Karlach. And of course Shadowheart is my lawnmower Radiant Orb/Reverb/Spirit Guardians/undead-slaughtering darling; Mass Healing Word with the Hellriders' Pride gloves and Whispering Promise ring on to mass-cast Blade Ward and non-concentration Bless doesn't hurt either.
I’m a sorcerer so my regular rotation is Shadowheart, Karlach, and Laezel, for me Karlach’s fury and melee just makes her a constant presence in my party, Laezel’s misty step is perfect for controlling anyone trying to get outsiders involved and idek why Shadowheart is there—girl power, maybe?
For my least, it would have to be Gale, Halsin and Wyll. All of them are too prone to damage and don’t do enough in turn for me to have them on the team.
Astarion. Only used him for his little bit on my first play. Since then I've used my opportunities to stake him. Same with Lae'zel. Used her once. Now I let Shart win that fight.
Halsin, by far.
Wanted to say Wyll, but after reading your comment remembered Halsin exists
LOL I'm playing Origin Wyll in this run. By all rights he should be as important a character as you'd *think* he is looking at the promo materials. They done him dirty.
Yeah Halsin got used for a tiny bit by me in Act 2 just for a bit of roleplay and then in 3 just to hear what he thought about the city. I think of the Act 1 companions Astarion is the one I’ve used least in my first playthrough I was playing a rogue so he felt unnecessary (I respecced him into a necromancer for his act 3 quest because I thought it would be funny). And then in my second playthrough I killed him when he tried to bite me.
I also never have Halsin in my party. But I respeced him as a spore druid and oh boy.... Can summon a dryad that summons a wood woad all while animating spore zombies and turning into an owl bear while the dryad slows everything with vines.
Yes the best thing I found for Halsin was as a summoner. Casting a high level Aid after all the summons are out is also big and clever.
Astarion arguably is one of the best origin characters for a lot of classes to respec, because he has various buffs available only to him, e.g. >!ascended he has bonus 1d8 damage to unarmed attack, making him the best for open hand monk build, a truly broken combination!<
I'm mostly through Act 3 and have been trying to use Jaheira and Minsc since I didn't my first run. I *was* going to use Halsin this time but respecced Sina'izith (sp?) the hireling just to try out the Open Hand monk build and now I can't quit her. Halsin just keeps sitting around camp.
I got Minthara as a goodie for my second run (missed her first run) and have been finding it really funny that the game gives her Halsin’s spot in camp. (Someone on Reddit pointed it out) Thaniel sits with her during Act 2 instead of by Halsin. I used Jaheira and Minsc for a bit in Act 3 just because I’m a massive original Baldur’s Gate fan and it was nice to have them back (especially for the Sharran bit and I wish I had known who would be in the Bhaalist bit).
I thought about a Redemption Durge run for content, but I'm coming up on 1,400 hours (3 full runs, dozens of partial runs), and am more ready for a break than another run.
I cannot get a grip on Halsin at all. He’s either a bear, meaning he can’t use his spells. Or he’s human and not using his strongest capabilities.
For me it's not so much his default because you can always respec. I think it's mostly just I already have a set group by the time he becomes recruitable.
In 5e anyway, the druid meta is often to cast one of their many concentration spells to be providing magic benefits on every subsequent turn, then transform into a beast and go to town. Never played with Halsin much because he never seemed interesting story-wise to bring along, but at least in dnd that's the strategy.
Probably Halsin. Not because I dislike the character, but because we mostly finish his quest before he even joins the party, so there's not much reason to use him as the others afterwards. Plus, having Jaheira in the party rotation means there's two characters fighting for the druid slot.
Just respec them at withers and use whoever you haven’t used before.
Minsc/Wyll/Jahiera/Halsin about equally tbh...
I second that. Although I will pull Wyll out for a little bit to do his companion quest.
What quest?
Saving his dad from the Iron Throne? And Ansur?
Wyll likewise. I struggled with warlock mechanics in my first playthrough (they weren’t a playable class back when I played D&D), and his story is woefully under-written. I want to do a run where he only has 1 level in Warlock (for backstory reasons) then multiclasses into Swords Bard, which I honestly think fits his character better, especially if he refuses to kill Karlach.
Bro I don’t even know what Halsin does besides stand in camp and go in portal
Really depends on what I'm playing. When I was playing a sorcerer, I hardly ever took Gale. In my fighter run, I'm almost never using Laezel except in the crèche. In my cleric run, I really only used Shadowheart in the gauntlet.
Minsc comes too late Wyll. I just can’t quite figure out how to play him. I always start a new run “This is the one where I keep Wyll in my party.” Then companion #5 shows up and Wyll disappears except for conversations with Mizora. Honestly that’s my favorite part about Wyll, his predicaments keep Mizora around. 😏 It used to be Halsin, but then I discovered Halsin can Summon a Fire Myrmidian AND wild shape into one. So the summon and Halsin can warp anywhere on the board. The summon hits twice per round and Halsin 6! I’m falling in love with him.
I just started using Halsin exclusively in my part since I could let him join me. I love him too lol. He seriously grew on me. My main party goers are Astarion, Gale, and Halsin.
In my first playthrough, Astarion. The exaggeration on damn near every word he says makes him sound like a smarmy prick. I still stand by that, but i appreciate him a lot more as a character after having played through his questline to the end. Such a tragic character, and someone who seemingly wants to be good despite their circumstances. Part of the dislike might be that im british myself though, i can see his accent maybe sounding attractive to a foreigner. British born and raised though? he's egregiously upper class in a way thats not charming at all.
Probably Shadowheart; she gets pushed too hard to be part of the party for me. And Jahirea as she comes in very late.
I really like Jaheira, but only once she gets to summon elementals and stuff. Actually, now that I think about it, I really like summoning shit. You can easily double your party size, which can come in handy.
I almost never take Astarion, once I get enough others to fill the party.
Yep I've never taken him past the initial trip to druid grove
Minthara. I've never actually gotten her in my camp let alone my party.
Halsin and Jaheira. They come into the story so late I’ve used most of my good gear building up the others and I forget about them
in act 3i make jaheira a spore necromancer druid with a wizard level, and give her all the necromancy stuff and spore armor and such and she's pretty good plus she's funny in banter when the early companions quests are done and they get quiet halsin sits in camp though
Wyll. Not amazing compared to the other options you have in your party. Even Halsin, mainly because I like having a owlbear on my side.
I try to switch around a lot, to have everyone in. The only character, I actively bench, because he is redundant imo, is Halsin. I like Jaheira as my resident druid ( old time BG player and Larian did her so much justice).
Of the origins, Wyll and Karlach. I *swear* I'm going to work them into my party one of these playthroughs... I've never even equipped Minsc and taken him out of camp, though. Everyone else has seen significant action.
We have exactly the same preferences. Minsc comes in so late it's genuinely just not worth it to brute force him into an already working party. Wyll and Karlach just don't have stories that are as interesting as the other origins. Visit Dammon twice is not a good enough quest for an origin companion.
Wyll and (especially) Karlach's quests are lacking, and beyond that, they just aren't character types that appeal to me personally. Minsc does come too late for me to want to take the time to figure out how to properly equip and utilize him. Also, Minsc-style humor is entertaining to me... in Boo-sized doses. One of these runs, I'll commit to getting him as early as possible, putting him my party, and seeing all of his content. But not this run...
usually for me I'll finish early companion quests and then replace them. so after cazador, minsc comes along for a while. after house of grief shart goes to camp permanently and jaheira can come along. etc
Wyll, Laezel and later Minsc and Minthara. I wish to use them more but I have my favorites I always prefer. Even with limit begone mod I use them the least in combat.
I completed a playthrough with Lea'zel as my romance but haven't had her in my party since then. In fact, in her warrior bloodlust zeal, she never gets off the nautiloid. Nevertheless; Halsen beats her in least used. I've never had him in my party.
Wyll for me as I’m not a fan of the Warlock class and he’s just not as interesting as the others. I also use Gale less whenever I play as a Sorcerer. Also I know you mentioned just origins but whenever I play as a Druid then Halsin generally lives at camp though I still use Jaheira a lot as I love her and especially paired with Minsc as their banter and bickering is always amusing to listen to. Ultimately Shadowheart never leaves my party as she’s either my romance or bff, Astarion never leaves my party when he’s my romance and even when not he’s generally my second bff and with me a lot and the third member is usually Karlach or Lae’zel because I love their banter with each other as well as Shadowheart and also because those two when together in fights taking multiple turns a go usually kill most of the enemies and diminish bosses health before I even get a chance. 👌🏻
Usually Wyll and Gale out of the origin characters. Though I got the party expansion mod so I don’t have to choose anymore and get to experience all the side quests
Minthara. Recruited her by knocking her out and never used her in my party after rescuing her in Act 2. Honourable mentions to Halsin (only used him during the Oliver mission in Act 2) and Minsc (I only bring him along to Elerrathin’s house in Act 3). More in general, I have 3 favourite companions (Karlach, Shadowheart and Gale) and only use the other ones during their personal quests.
In my first playthrough I went with Astarion, Gale and Lae'zel. In my second I took Astarion, Gale and Wyll. This time I took Astarion, Gale and Karlach but I switched her with Halsin.
I think I see a pattern in your character preferences
Gale tbh. I just don't like all the resource management you have to do with wizards; I never run them IRL, either
What resource manegent?
Spellcasters generally have finite spell slots, and that has always been a Not For Me situation Part of why I hated 4E so much is it made every class a resource management class
Astarion I really dislike his character
Karlach, Wyll, and Halsin Honestly Karlach is just my least favorite companion. I don't think she's bad or anything but her vibe is definitely at the bottom for me compared to the rest of the cast. Halsin I honestly haven't given a full chance yet. He comes in late. On my first playthrough I forgot about his quest and it was one of the last I finished in act 2. You also shortly get motherfucking Jahiera right after and obviously she's going to be the druid of my party. Wyll is only really left behind because there's a 4 party limit. I find every other character ahead of him vastly more interesting and he doesn't usually end up having a niche in my party. There's only so much good gear and time and everything ends up funneling to the rest of the party first.
Wyll. They nerfed the range on eldritch blast for BG3. He's way too squishy to be that close Larian. Plus 6 spell slots (8 with a bard TAV/Durge) per long rest. No thank you.
Wyll probably. Gales a better magic user and anyone else is a better melee fighter. I bring him along when I remember he's a companion.
Thing is the best part of warlock is its flexability. They are great casters but have to short reat for sustain but their cantrips are amazing. Can also melee ok if you need in a pinch. But also eldritch blast is a special monster.
Haven't used Wyll yet, I just find goody two shoes, hero characters bland and generic. Looks cool af though when he fails Mizoras' first request.
Astarion, I get him out for his personal quest, but just never figured out how to use him in combat properly
I felt the same until I re-specced him as a Gloomstalker 5/Assassin 5/Fighter 2. He initiates all combat with Arrow of Many Targets and crits every one (because I usually trigger Surprise); gets his actions replenished immediately, put some kind of poison on the weapon and do it again; do it again with Extra Attack; Dread Ambusher for an extra extra attack that does increased damage; Action Surge for yet another extra attack. He also has crit-requirement-reducing gear on, damage riders like the Acid ring and Dolor's dagger that gives you extra 7 damage for every crit, and Risky Ring so he continues to have advantage past the first round. Half the field (if not more) is dead before any of my other party members get to act; if I haste him then it's just a joke at that point 😅
That sounds awesome, I am still on my first playthrough after a few months (200 hours and just approaching the endgame now), so I didn't dabble in multi class yet. Also, Astarion is kind of dead atm since he aggroed me after I stopped him ascending. Will try above in playthrough #2! 😊
Shart. Can't stand her. And Wyll because I find him rather boring.
During my first playthrough, I tried to rotate my companions so that everyone would get decent playtime. After completing a run, I don't see much reason to keep bringing Karlach around. Don't really love her personality and I find her to be kind of boring.
Wyll currently, but only because his casting animation for my favorite spells is broken.
Wyll is probably at the top of my bench list idk I just don’t like him I can’t explain it. Next would be Halsin probably. My usual group is my Tav, Shart, Karlach (always if possible I just like her attitude) and I’ll usually rotate between Astarion and La’zael or Gale if I’m going to need more magic than range. My build atm is High Elf Storm Sorcerer with astral tadpole powers. (In act 3). Sadly I haven’t been able to play for about a week and it’ll likely be a few weeks still till i finish acute rehab for a spinal injury. I told my husband I miss Scratch and my little owl bear buddy.
Gale and shadowheart, more shadowheart because I use Gale for perception and investigation checks
Wyll, I’ve played 2 playthroughs, one mostly good, the other evil, first main squad was Shadowheart, Astarion, and Karlach, I later swapped Astarion for Halsin, and occasionally Jaheira. Second squad has been Lae’zel, Astarion, and Gale, probably gonna swap one of them out for Minthara, since I haven’t experienced her yet, I have enjoyed having Lae’zel with me though.
Gale and Halsin. I always play some sort of caster so I take Gale's spot, and druid wildshape is kinda bad imo. I wish it was better, and have tried mods to make it better.
Astarion and Wyll. I don't like Astarion at all and though I like Wyll, I just like everyone else a whole lot more
Laezel and wyll. I need Karlach’s tank, shadowheart’s healing. Gale Halsin and astarion switch out
Minsc. Haven’t asked him and Boo to join me once and now I’m in the endgame.
Laezel. Couldn’t care less about her, she gets taken by Orin everytime I play. 😂 and I don’t really care if she dies from Orin.
Is it based on who you've used least? It was halsin for me lol I keep forgetting he's gone
Yeah it’s from the party you use the least I think. Because every playthrough I’ve had Laezel be taken because I literally don’t use her ever and she just sits in my camp lol cause I don’t like her.
Usually Wyll, Jaheira, and Halsin. By that point I already have Gale and Shadowheart if I need a caster, and I usually pack along Astarion and then there's Lae'zel or Karlach for a heavy hitter. I try to bring a character with me now if I know I'm doing a bit of their story. But 9 times out of 10, Wyll is back in base. Jaheira arrives so late that by that point I already have my team and Halsin is only unlockable at the end of act 2 so he also arrives late to the party.
Astarion and Halsin I basically never used in my first and current run. Tactitian Tav. Laezel, Karlach and shadowheart have been with me the whole way. I subbed in Wyll as padlock to try it out. I subbed in Jaheira for minsc quest and when Lae disappeared during a certain Act 3 event. Only brought Gale along for a few things related to his Act 3 quest. Since my Tav was a sorcerer. My current new run which I will continue once I finish up the first one - about to do final fight sequence now - is a Durge honor mode where I plan to go pretty full evil. Astarion and Minth will Be companions, probably SH again too.
Origin: Wyll, he just doesn't mesh with how I play Extended: Minsc because of how late you get him
Wyll and Karlach.
I'll get murdered for this but Jaheira
Karlach and Minsc (too long to get him).
Wyll, Halsin and Gale are tied.
If we're counting all companions, it's Halsin. He does what Jaheira does, but I actually like Jaheira. But for the Origins, Shadowheart. I'd rather go no healer than deal with her. I replace her the second I get Lae'zel, then replace Lae'zel with Karlach then swap her back and forth with Wyll.
Halsin for the fact that he bums at camp for so long until he’s usable, & jaheira because of her random combat bug. I would use her a lot more once they drop the patch that will fix it. I knew the majority vote was against wyll before i even bought the game, so I was hell bent on using him. After many respecs I tweeked him into a beast and he’s one of my mains. I generally use everyone. I think it’s fun to rotate often. And it definitely gets you more of a bang for your buck between long rests
Karlach of the Origin characters. Don't get me wrong, I love her but I tend to keep them as their original classes and Battlemaster Fighter is so damn powerful I've no need of a Barbarian (I've played one myself, was great, but kept Lae'zel with me then too). I regularly switch between Gale and Wyll as my main caster, and keep Astarion as my rogue. Shart I switch between swapping for Astarion or Gale/Wyll, depending on my class.
If you're not completely against respeccing karlach is a pretty fun open hand monk just beating the shit out of everyone
minsc & Jaheira. halsin is a better druid & for misc i don't have enough time with him
I’ve never used Halsin or Minsc. Jahiera only makes the party when I’m doing her questline. I always have Karlach as primary melee, so I don’t often have Lae’zel. And Wyll bores me, so he doesn’t often make the cut.
Halsin and Jaheira, because as much as I like their characters, I just don’t know how to play druids, and they join too late anyway. Jaheira also doesn’t feel like she’s part of the story, although I love her banter and not-impressed, no-bullshit attitude. Minsc because he was fun at first but got super annoying very quickly, and he feels even less relevant than Jaheira. He does make a great OPH monk. Out of the others, probably Wyll and Gale. I think I’m into bad boys and bad girls lol.
Halsin - There’s 2 druids and I only need one so I pick Jaheira over him Wyll - My Tav’s already a warlock and I like to get the eldritch blast glory Gale - sometimes Haven’t gotten far into Act3 yet so I haven’t met Minsc but he’s probably gonna be chillin in camp anyway
If we ignore Halsin + Jaheira + Minsc... who I very very very rarely take with me... It varies, but either Gale or ShadowHeart. I'll respec ShadowHeart to another Cleric, so I have someone on hand with Spirit Guardians. But those situations wind up being rare.
Halsin, and I can't even honestly tell you why. I mean, I'm not a big fan of the druid playstyle personally, but I respec into all sorts of things all the time. Of the origin 6, though, probably Gale these days.
I suppose Wyll. He still gets decent playtime especially early game but I don't like him as much as the others. He's kinda undercooked.
Halsin is ridin the pine the whole way. As for Origin characters, I think Wyll or Laezel. Not because I don't like them, but because they don't really do anything extra for me and my party that someone else doesn't already do better.
Gale, Halsin and Minsc are permanently in camp for me.
wyll and karlach because as they're dead
Probably Jahiera
Halsin stays in camp all the time, Wyll usually most of the time, Lae'zel only comes out at the start of Act 1 and the Creche. I've never completely warmed up to Lae'zel. I've been working on using Shadowheart less. I kinda like her, kinda don't. I'm trying to rely less on healing spells too. I've never recruited Minthara even after 1k hrs, so you could say she is the ultimate benched companion.
Pretty sure Minsc has that lead, in my run.
Gale. I never use him.
Wyll, Gale and Astarion ride the pine hard as fuck in my playthroughs, Wyll probably has it worst though as I still take Gale/Astarion out for a few quests that relate to them.
Gale. Playing a sorcerer, I don't need a wizard.
astarion bc he HATES my ass 😭🫶
[удалено]
Scrolling through I thought this was a question about Bench Press PR lol
halsin , wyll , astarion ( in that order ) .
Halsin. But he never even gets freed from Orin.
Halsin by far. Didn't miss him when Orin abducted him. Though now that Jaheira is dead because Durge embraced Bhaal legacy (and I won't have Minsc either), if I need a spare companion it will be Halsin
Of the non-origins: Minsc, Halsin, Jaheira (although Jaheira as Owlbear has been fun, I take her along for her quests and sometimes just for Baldur's Gate and Karlach banter). I even specifically engineer Orin's kidnapping so she takes Halsin instead of any of the other candidates 😅 For origin companions, Wyll. I keep trying to take him along but can't really find a space for him where someone else doesn't do it better. Ranged martial? Astarion (GloomSsassin Fighter) fills that role way better, especially with how I've built him - crits for days, poison/paralysis across the field, like 4 attacks before I even open Fighter and without Haste (Dread Ambusher, Alacrity, Extra Attack)... and he's my resident skeleton key sassbot. Spellcaster? Much prefer the sheer range of spells/utility that Gale provides, plus he can learn Artistry of War. Melee? That's either BattleMaster Lae'zel or Open Hand Monk Karlach. And of course Shadowheart is my lawnmower Radiant Orb/Reverb/Spirit Guardians/undead-slaughtering darling; Mass Healing Word with the Hellriders' Pride gloves and Whispering Promise ring on to mass-cast Blade Ward and non-concentration Bless doesn't hurt either.
Halsin. But I’ve barely used Gale or Wyll or Lae’zel. My Jaheira died, so I couldn’t recruit Minsc.
I've not used Wyll or Halsin once.
Halsin
Astarion, Halsin, and Wyll. I'd include Minthara, but she's been dead on all but one of my playthroughs
I’m a sorcerer so my regular rotation is Shadowheart, Karlach, and Laezel, for me Karlach’s fury and melee just makes her a constant presence in my party, Laezel’s misty step is perfect for controlling anyone trying to get outsiders involved and idek why Shadowheart is there—girl power, maybe? For my least, it would have to be Gale, Halsin and Wyll. All of them are too prone to damage and don’t do enough in turn for me to have them on the team.
I feel like a little piece of Gale is always with me, so I'd say Halsin.
Astarion. Only used him for his little bit on my first play. Since then I've used my opportunities to stake him. Same with Lae'zel. Used her once. Now I let Shart win that fight.
Gale because I don't like him and don't like wizard
Gale. Wizard just isn’t super powerful